Bioprotect is a microbial disinfectant based on lipid peptides, enzymes, surfactants and live probiotic bacteria. The product is derived from a live bacterium called Bacillus Subtills (probiotic bacteria) which is known as a root bacterium, it’s primary role in nature is to protect the root structure of plants. It does this by producing Lipo-peptides which are a very powerful microbial surfactant. They naturally make the surrounding ground around the roots very hard to inhabit, by out competing anything near the root structure for nutrients. Which, is why trees don’t grow on top of each other. The surfactants repel growth within a reasonable proximity to give the tree the best possible chance to grow up healthy.

The Biotechnology behind BioProtect

The BioProtect drain cleaner product as suggested above is a combination of probiotics, enzymes, bacterium (Bacillus Subtills), in addition to 3 other unique lipo-peptides.

Fengycin – anti fungal agent

Iturin – anti microbial agent

Surfactin – a very powerful bio-detergent which activates in the liquid/air interface and reduces the surface tension of water very readily – to as low as 27 milli nm.

When the product is used, the lipo-peptides being a very powerful detergent will clean very effectively and emulsify fats, oils, grease and grime. The lipo-peptides will then lice the cell walls of microorganisms and this lysing mechanism is what allows the Bacillus in the bio-protect product to become the dominant species in the environment. The lysing mechanism also opens up the molecules, by penetrating through the cellular defences and exposing the cell to the Bacillus, allowing it to degrade or consume organic material from the inside out. This process is quite rapid and extremely effective. This process breaks down these organics and returns them back to base elements such as water or nitrogen.

The BioProtect solution uses the same highly effective cycle to penetrate and breakdown biofilms. Once the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) protecting the microbes inside will be quickly dispatched by the lipo-peptides in the BioProtect solution. If you’d like to learn more about Biofilms you can see our breakdown here.

Why is listeria a common problem in drains?

Listeria multiplies by feeding off organic materials.

As a result drains are the perfect environment for listeria to develop, in part because they are frequently neglected.

Listeria present in drains can migrate from drains to contact surfaces where food is processed and handled, thus contaminating the food itself.

Therefore, before Listeria can successfully be controlled and eliminated in a food processing environment, it needs to be eliminated from harborage points like floor drains. (manufacturing.net)

Our other Biotechnology product – PhageGuard Listex can also target and eradicate listeria in your facility very readily, it is food safe and can be used in RTE applications. Read about PhageGuard here.

Depending on the size of a facility and the size of the outbreak, a food processing plant could be forced to throw out all of their products that may be contaminated with Listeria. (manufacturing.net)

How does listeria migrate from Drains to Surfaces?

People walk on or roll equipment over surfaces contaminated with Listeria. Also, if your facility uses high-pressure washing or vigorous scrubbing, the listeria may become aerosolized.

Equipment left or dropped on the drain, employees’ clothing, hands, and gloves and pests such as fruit flies can all provide ways for Listeria to move from a non-food contact surface like a floor drain to food or a food contact surface.

Aerosols should probably be the biggest concern If cleaning staff disassemble drains and brush drain parts with brushes and pads, droplets of organic soil from the drain (possibly containing Listeria) can easily be released into the air.

Applications of BioProtect in Drains

• Wastewater quality improvement
• Clean the inside of drainage systems and pipes
• Enhance the flow and reduce maintenance of the drains
• Sewerage systems
• Organic cleaner to remove/breakdown of fog or protein from floors or equipment
• Break up biofilms
• Anywhere where rapid degradation of organic material is required

BioProtect is primarily used to either address/improve a microbial problem, which is not uncommon in drains. It is an optimal environment for Biofilms to develop and as such listeria and other pathogens can often be found lurking in the pipes. Alternatively, BioProtect can be implemented in facilities to improve the quality of wastewater and therefore reduce the cost of disposal. BioProtect is well documented for generating saving of tens of thousands of dollars for meat processing facilities. BioProtects natural capacity to dissolve solids, oils and fats allow it to come into its own when remedying drains meat processing plants where it is common for bits of product to find its way into the drainage system.

Conclusion

Drainage systems have always been a nuisance to clean and maintain, partly because they are challenging to clean inside and provide an ideal environment for bacteria and other nasty microbes to develop. Drainage systems are also well know to produce troublesome Biofilms because of the difficulty to effectively use abrasion.

BioProtect provides a highly effective 5 log reduction in a drain environment, whilst being cost-effective for the products price-point and the results it yields with wastewater improvement. Additionally, it has the added benefit of being non-corrosive, non-hazardous and Eco-friendly, returning your drainage system to a near new condition.